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Great Fire of Toronto 1904: Rare Historical Photos depict the Destruction and Aftermaths

On 19 April 1904, flames erupted from the Currie Building, which was located at 58 Wellington (near where the current TD Centre now sits). These flames turned into a wildfire and destroyed 20 acres of Toronto’s industrial core. The fire destroyed 98 buildings and caused damage of more than $10 million at that time. Only one person died in the aftermath. This disaster is known as the Great Fire of Toronto in 1904.

A police constable on patrol at the Downton reported the fire at 8 p.m. Toronto’s core was an industrial area with several manufacturing buildings. The fire spread rapidly and by 4 a.m. area of approximately 20 acres was destroyed by the wildfire. An alarm at 8:51 brought all firefighters in the city. Later several firefighters from other cities including Buffalo, Hamilton, and London, were also brought into Toronto upon the request of Mayor, Thomas Urquhart. When firefighters reached the fire near Wellington and Bay Streets, they faced strong winds and the water pressure was low. These winds caused the water to blowback and freeze on the firefighters. The wind spread embers and flames from building to building. The many exposed electrical, telegraph, and telephone wires made it hard for firefighters to place ladders on buildings. The fire department controlled the blaze at 4:30 a.m. The affected areas continued to smolder for two weeks with smaller fires popping up and reigniting from time to time.

The exact cause of the fire was never discovered. Theories at the time suggested either faulty wiring or an overheated pipe from a furnace or stove. Here below are some visuals that show the aftermaths of the great fire.

#1 Bay Street from Melinda St

Bay Street from Melinda St

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Great Fire of Toronto 1904: Rare Historical Photos depict the Destruction and Aftermaths

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#2 Wellington Street, south side, east from Bay St.

Wellington Street, south side, east from Bay St.

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Great Fire of Toronto 1904: Rare Historical Photos depict the Destruction and Aftermaths

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#3 Looking north up Bay Street

Looking north up Bay Street

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Great Fire of Toronto 1904: Rare Historical Photos depict the Destruction and Aftermaths

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#4 Street, looking north from Esplande W.

Street, looking north from Esplande W.

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Great Fire of Toronto 1904: Rare Historical Photos depict the Destruction and Aftermaths

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#5 Front Street looking north.

Front Street looking north.

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Great Fire of Toronto 1904: Rare Historical Photos depict the Destruction and Aftermaths

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#6 Burnt Bulidings near the Bay street.

Burnt Bulidings near the Bay street.

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Great Fire of Toronto 1904: Rare Historical Photos depict the Destruction and Aftermaths

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#7 Bay Street west side.

Bay Street west side.

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Great Fire of Toronto 1904: Rare Historical Photos depict the Destruction and Aftermaths

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#8 Looking north east from York Street.

Looking north east from York Street.

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Great Fire of Toronto 1904: Rare Historical Photos depict the Destruction and Aftermaths

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#9 West side of Bay Street looking south from Melinda Street

West side of Bay Street looking south from Melinda Street

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Great Fire of Toronto 1904: Rare Historical Photos depict the Destruction and Aftermaths

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#10 The ruins of aftermath of Great Toronto Fire

The ruins of aftermath of Great Toronto Fire

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Great Fire of Toronto 1904: Rare Historical Photos depict the Destruction and Aftermaths

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#11 The ruins of Great Toronto Fire

The ruins of Great Toronto Fire

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Great Fire of Toronto 1904: Rare Historical Photos depict the Destruction and Aftermaths

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#12 Looking west on Wellington Street from Jordon Street

Looking west on Wellington Street from Jordon Street

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Great Fire of Toronto 1904: Rare Historical Photos depict the Destruction and Aftermaths

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#13 Looking southwest from the top of Toronto Telegram Building

Looking southwest from the top of Toronto Telegram Building

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Great Fire of Toronto 1904: Rare Historical Photos depict the Destruction and Aftermaths

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#14 Looking south on Bay north of Wellington

Looking south on Bay north of Wellington

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Great Fire of Toronto 1904: Rare Historical Photos depict the Destruction and Aftermaths

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#15 Looking north up Bay Street

Looking north up Bay Street

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Great Fire of Toronto 1904: Rare Historical Photos depict the Destruction and Aftermaths

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#16 Looking north up Bay Street

Looking north up Bay Street

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Great Fire of Toronto 1904: Rare Historical Photos depict the Destruction and Aftermaths

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#17 Looking east on Wellington west of Bay

Looking east on Wellington west of Bay

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Great Fire of Toronto 1904: Rare Historical Photos depict the Destruction and Aftermaths

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#18 Front Street West, looking east from Bay Street

Front Street West, looking east from Bay Street

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Great Fire of Toronto 1904: Rare Historical Photos depict the Destruction and Aftermaths

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#19 Front Street west of Yonge

Front Street west of Yonge

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Great Fire of Toronto 1904: Rare Historical Photos depict the Destruction and Aftermaths

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#20 Front Street west of Bay

Front Street west of Bay

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Great Fire of Toronto 1904: Rare Historical Photos depict the Destruction and Aftermaths

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#21 Front St. West, looking east from Bay St.

Front St. West, looking east from Bay St.

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Great Fire of Toronto 1904: Rare Historical Photos depict the Destruction and Aftermaths

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#22 Front and Yonge, with what’s now the Hockey Hall of Fame on the right

Front and Yonge, with what's now the Hockey Hall of Fame on the right

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Great Fire of Toronto 1904: Rare Historical Photos depict the Destruction and Aftermaths

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#23 Bay Street, east side, looking south from north of Wellington St. West

Bay Street, east side, looking south from north of Wellington St. West

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Great Fire of Toronto 1904: Rare Historical Photos depict the Destruction and Aftermaths

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#24 Excavating in the Great Fire ruins for new Customs House, Front Street and Yonge Street.

Excavating in the Great Fire ruins for new Customs House, Front Street and Yonge Street.

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Great Fire of Toronto 1904: Rare Historical Photos depict the Destruction and Aftermaths

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#25 Customs examining warehouse and express office

Customs examining warehouse and express office

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Great Fire of Toronto 1904: Rare Historical Photos depict the Destruction and Aftermaths

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#26 Ruins of fire of 1904, Front Street East.

Ruins of fire of 1904, Front Street East.

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Great Fire of Toronto 1904: Rare Historical Photos depict the Destruction and Aftermaths

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#27 Ruins of fire of 1904, Front Street East

Ruins of fire of 1904, Front Street East

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Great Fire of Toronto 1904: Rare Historical Photos depict the Destruction and Aftermaths

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#28 Toronto fire ruins grown over with weeds.

Toronto fire ruins grown over with weeds.

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Great Fire of Toronto 1904: Rare Historical Photos depict the Destruction and Aftermaths

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#29 Pottery found in ruins of 1904 Fire.

Pottery found in ruins of 1904 Fire.

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Great Fire of Toronto 1904: Rare Historical Photos depict the Destruction and Aftermaths

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#30 Men viewing the demolition of fire remains at site of future Union Station.

Men viewing the demolition of fire remains at site of future Union Station.

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Great Fire of Toronto 1904: Rare Historical Photos depict the Destruction and Aftermaths

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#31 Curio seekers find souvenir in fire ruins.

Curio seekers find souvenir in fire ruins.

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Great Fire of Toronto 1904: Rare Historical Photos depict the Destruction and Aftermaths

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#32 Curio seekers find souvenir in fire ruins.

Curio seekers find souvenir in fire ruins.

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Great Fire of Toronto 1904: Rare Historical Photos depict the Destruction and Aftermaths

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#33 Bay Street north of Wellington, looking south

Bay Street north of Wellington, looking south

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Great Fire of Toronto 1904: Rare Historical Photos depict the Destruction and Aftermaths

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#34 Front Street at Bay looking east

Front Street at Bay looking east

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Great Fire of Toronto 1904: Rare Historical Photos depict the Destruction and Aftermaths

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#35 Telegram Building

Telegram Building

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Great Fire of Toronto 1904: Rare Historical Photos depict the Destruction and Aftermaths

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#36 Lane side of Telegram Building.

Lane side of Telegram Building.

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Great Fire of Toronto 1904: Rare Historical Photos depict the Destruction and Aftermaths

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#37 South-west of Wellington and Bay

South-west of Wellington and Bay

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Great Fire of Toronto 1904: Rare Historical Photos depict the Destruction and Aftermaths

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Written by Aung Budhh

Husband + Father + librarian + Poet + Traveler + Proud Buddhist. I love you with the breath, the smiles and the tears of all my life.

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